Who painted Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" was painted by Unknown.

Where can I see Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"?

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is held by Detroit Institute of Arts.

Artwork

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra"

Tantric Manuscript "Sangrahani Sutra" is an unspecified painting by Unknown. It is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts. The object is a fragment of a Tantric manuscript identified as the Sangrahani Sutra.

About this work

Overview

The object is a fragment of a Tantric manuscript identified as the Sangrahani Sutra. Rendered on a yellowed sheet of paper, the page bears black ink script organized into distinct blocks separated by thin red lines. A small tabular section in the lower left presents rows of text, some entries highlighted in red, suggesting a functional or didactic purpose within the larger work.

Subject & Meaning

The manuscript belongs to the Tantric tradition, a branch of Indian religious practice that emphasizes esoteric rituals and meditative techniques.

The manuscript belongs to the Tantric tradition, a branch of Indian religious practice that emphasizes esoteric rituals and meditative techniques. The division of text by colored lines and the inclusion of a chart imply a structured presentation of doctrinal material, possibly outlining stages of practice, correspondences of deities, or procedural instructions for rites associated with the Sangrahani Sutra.

Technique & Style

Written with a fine-point black ink pen on a coarse, aged paper, the script exhibits a disciplined hand characteristic of monastic scribes. Red pigment, applied as a line demarcation and for selective emphasis, contrasts with the monochrome text, a common visual strategy in ritual manuscripts to guide the reader’s attention and denote hierarchical importance.

History & Provenance

The page’s material condition—yellowed, textured paper and faded ink—indicates considerable age, though precise dating requires further codicological analysis. Its provenance remains unclear, as the manuscript lacks explicit colophons or ownership marks, a frequent circumstance for devotional texts that circulated privately among tantric practitioners.

Context

Tantric sutras such as the Sangrahani were traditionally transmitted within monastic lineages or secretive guru‑disciple relationships. The manuscript’s format reflects the pedagogical needs of such communities, providing a portable reference that could be consulted during instruction or ritual performance, aligning with the broader Indian manuscript culture of the medieval period.